Project Overview/ Strategic Collaboration in UK Storage
A China-based lithium ecosystem enterprise, Ganfeng Lithium, signed an agreement with a France-based electric utility, EDF to optimize and operate its 160 MWh Kintore energy storage project in UK. This agreement marks the company’s first large-scale energy storage venture in the UK.
The project will deliver 50 MW/160 MWh of storage capacity and aims to commence operations expected by 2026. EDF utilizes its Powershift platform to provide real-time optimization services for the battery storage system.
Implementation Plan and Platform Capabilities
Under the partnership agreement, Ganfeng Lithium manages construction activities and equipment supply for the Kintore project with support from its local partner, GV Renewable. EDF is responsible for trading operations, asset optimisation and real-time market participation using its Powershift platform. The platform provides rapid response, frequency support and balancing functions using forecasting and dispatch tools to match operations with UK electricity market conditions.
Corporate Profiles and Executive Statements
EDF operates five nuclear power stations and more than 35 onshore wind farms along with three offshore wind farms, supplying about 14% of the UK’s electricity demand. Hinkley Point C and Sizewell C are being progressed with company involvement and together are expected to supply low-carbon electricity to about 12 million homes. EDF manages over 2 GW of renewable capacity and more than 10 GW in planning, development and construction through EDF Power Solutions UK and Ireland. It supplies electricity to homes and businesses and provides technical and energy services through Dalkia across the UK and Ireland.
Ganfeng Lithium operates across lithium resource development, battery manufacturing, recycling and energy storage system integration, with its storage products deployed in China, Europe, North America and the Asia-Pacific region.
Head of Ganfeng's overseas energy storage business, Zhang Diyuan, said that the partnership enables the company to bring its energy storage technology to the UK by combining its manufacturing capability with EDF’s operational experience.
EDF Commercial Director of Wholesale Market Services, Stuart Fenner noted that the Kintore project will add flexible grid support to help manage supply, demand and system resilience.